Prince Harry Invited Orphan He First Befriended in Africa 14 Years Ago to Royal Wedding
As the flurry of activity surrounding the royal wedding on May 19 subsides, stories of the lesser-talked-about moments are coming to the forefront. One of the most heartfelt stories involves an orphaned boy from Africa, who met Prince Harry as a child and attended the royal wedding on Saturday.
Among the star-studded wedding guests at Windsor Castle were 200 representatives from varying charities the royal family supports throughout the world. In the sea of faces stood 18-year-old Mutsu Potsane, who first met Harry when he was just 4 years old.
Prince Harry was 19 when he visited the southern African country of Lesotho in 2004, on a mission to help children affected by HIV and AIDS. It was during that visit that the Prince met Potsane in Mants’ase Children’s Home for orphans near Mohale’s Hoek, outside Lesotho’s capital, Maseru.
The pair became fast friends, as the boy admired Prince Harry and stayed by his side like a shadow. In 2006, Prince Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso set up a charity called Sentebale – “Forget Me Not” in Sesotho.
The charity aimed to bring hope and assistance to children affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Through the years, Prince Harry returned to visit Lesotho, and an excited Potsane was there each time to reunite with his friend.
It seemed only fitting that Prince Harry would extend the touching gesture of inviting Potsane to his wedding. Potsane, who’s proper first name is Relebohile, was among 10 representatives from Sentebale in attendance on Saturday.
The humanitarian gesture of love and inclusion is just what Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana, would have done. Prince Harry proved yet again how much his heart beats like his mothers.
Also representing Sentebale was Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, who helped Prince Harry found the organization over a decade ago. “The young Harry who first arrived in Lesotho in 2004 is now a grown man getting married,” Prince Seeiso stated.
Congratulations to the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex, from everyone at @Sentebale ? We were delighted that some of our Lesotho team were able to join in the very special celebrations in Windsor today! #SentebaleCelebrates #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/DQ6Gwsl1ri
— @Sentebale (@Sentebale) May 19, 2018
“I’ve come here with all the wishes of Lesotho,” Seeiso continued. “I’m not here on my own behalf, I’m here representing the entire nation who are so happy.”
Johnny Hornby, Sentebale’s chairman, was also in attendance at the royal wedding. He spoke highly of the connection between Prince Harry and Sentebale, and expressed hope for future visits with the Prince and his new wife, the Duchess of Sussex.
“I certainly know he will be in Lesotho at least a couple of times this year,” Hornby shared. “I don’t know if Meghan will go with him, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t want to take her there when the time is right.”
As for Potsane, he was among the first group to greet the newlyweds outside of Windsor Castle. Hornby said the teenager is doing well, and working on finishing school.
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